I'm looking for general insight on my word usage, grammar, punctuation (I struggle with semicolon usage), and sentence structure. I'd like any kind of help you can offer really so anything you see as wrong please let me know.
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Beta Needed for First 4 Chapters of YA Paranormal/Fantasy
- Thread starter Ne0nAbyss
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Ne0nAbyss, when entering a sub-forum, please read all the stickies and go through the threads before making your own. If you read them, you would have found the Willing Beta-readers thread, you would have learned that it's essential to have the summary of the story you're putting up, and to offer return critique.
Post a summary of your story so you intrigue people. Post the word count because the number of chapters means nothing. Post what you're willing to return to the beta-readers, like swapping.
While beta-reading means any style of critique, it's a lot of work someone to critique someone's grammar--let alone "four chapters" worth. Do your critics a favor and read up on grammar and punctuation and try to fix anything you can find on your own. If you struggle with semi-colon use, look that up and try to fix it.
And, it's good to have a good number of posts so people can trust you a bit more and an excerpt in the SYW section for beta-readers to read before offering their help. Although, I suggest the SYW section anyways for what you wish because the small portion size allowed in the SYW section is just about large enough for someone to last for a grammar and punctuation critique.
Post a summary of your story so you intrigue people. Post the word count because the number of chapters means nothing. Post what you're willing to return to the beta-readers, like swapping.
While beta-reading means any style of critique, it's a lot of work someone to critique someone's grammar--let alone "four chapters" worth. Do your critics a favor and read up on grammar and punctuation and try to fix anything you can find on your own. If you struggle with semi-colon use, look that up and try to fix it.
And, it's good to have a good number of posts so people can trust you a bit more and an excerpt in the SYW section for beta-readers to read before offering their help. Although, I suggest the SYW section anyways for what you wish because the small portion size allowed in the SYW section is just about large enough for someone to last for a grammar and punctuation critique.
As Osu said, your request is a bit too vague!
'General insight' -- does that mean you want people to say "your grammar is perfect" versus "you've got a lot of run-on sentences", or do you want them to highlight all the errors and show you how to fix them? Some people just want a yes/no answer, while others are looking for a 'free' editor.
I'd suggest getting yourself up to 50 posts and then putting your opening scene up in Share Your Work. Critiquers there will let you know if there are problems with your English (as well as other story issues). And, if they love your scene, they may well volunteer to read and critique the whole thing!
What's your book about? Some people won't want to read "Two young men turn into werewolves, fall in love, have sex, and save the world", while others won't want to read "A young man turns into a werewolf, finds Jesus, and is cured of his affliction".
So, please, stick around, participate, let us get to know you, and make some new friends!
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